2 Group Convoy attack 13.09.1940

[Steve Smith]

Hi,

Does anyone have any information on a German convoy attacked by No.2 Group Blenheim's on September 13th 1940 between Flushing and Ostend and any possible vessels sunk?

TIA

Steve

[Laurent Rizzotti]

I can't replys but I advise you to post your query on this forum:
http://warsailors.com/forum/list.php?1

Many contributors of this forum have a huge documentation about WWII naval side, including KTB and so on.

[Stig Jarlevik]

Steve

Out of curiosity I checked what Larry Donnelly wrote in his book The other Few, and I cannot find any reference to No 2 Group specifically.

However he claims that during the afternoon an enemy convoy comprising 10 transport barges, two E-boats amd 10 motor vessels were sighted off Bolougne.
Five motor vessels towing barges were also sighted off Cap Gris Nez.
Three Blenheims of 53 Sq and five from 59 Sq attacked the enemy convoy at 20 minutes intervals and claimed success.

Cheers
Stig

[robert]

Hi Steve,

you mean this nocturnal attack by 12 Blenheim bombers?

Regards

Robert

[Steve Smith]

Gents,

Thank you for your replies.

It was a Blenheim of No.218 Squadron that reported an attack on a convoy in the Scheldt Estuary heading towards the Zeebrugge Mole between 15:00hrs and 16:15hrs. A vessel was attacked and reported to have blown in two?

Any help appreciated gents.

Thank you

Steve

[robert]

Hi,
that convoy consisted of 6-7 ships. All bombs fell wide of the target. No ship was lost.

Regards

Robert

[Steve Smith]

Robert,

Thank you. Did the convoy have a name ? or code. What were the ships?

Regards

Steve

[Martin Gleeson]

Steve,

Are you referring to the attack by Sgt. Owens in N6183 (1435-1715) ? If so I suspect it was against the torpedo-boat T2 (a small destroyer).

There is a recent multi-volume excellent series on the naval war titled 'WORLD WAR II SEA WAR' by Donald Bertke, Don Kindell and Gordon Smith. Volume 2 covers September 1940 and it records the following on 13 September 1940;
"An RAF Blenheim aircraft attacked German torpedo boats T1, T2 and T3. A bomb near miss damaged T2 with splinters, both underwater and on the bridge. The torpedo boat proceeded to Vlissingen and was temporarily repaired at the Wilton yard. She then proceeded to Wilhelmshaven, arriving on the 25th for repairs, completed in May 1941."
Earlier on September 12th it noted that these three torpedo boats departed from Rotterdam but did not mention a reason or destination. However on September 15th we read that T1 and T3 arrived at Le Harve in France.
Ref. pages 463 and 465 for the above.
See www.naval-history.net concerning the above works. So far 7 volumes are available in both book and pdf format going to November 1942. There are about 500 pages in each volume, no photos or fancy stuff. Great investment, but I think it is a terribly well-kept secret !

I also agree with Laurent about posting on the 'warsailors' website forum. You may obtain a lot more detail there, including times.

Regards,

Martin.

[Steve Smith]

Hi Martin,

Thank you for the information, I have just ordered Volume 2.

Kind regards

Steve

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Here is what is written in the British Admiralty War Diary, available on fold3 (for paying members...)

extract of 13.09.1940:
British Air Operations

Owing to unfavourable weather part of the programme for night operations was cancelled. The following attacks were, however, successfully carried out: on petrol stores at Emden, seaplane base at Nordeney, vessels at Delfzijl, Flusing docks where it is believed an ammunition dump was hit. Flak ships in the North Sea were attacked but clouds prevented observation of results.

3 out of 13 Blenheims today attacked Calais harbour and a concentration of barges at Ijsselmond, results not being observed; and a convoy of 6 or 7 vessels believed to be tankers off Zeebrugge, one ship of which was hit. The remaining 10 A/C abandoned the task on account of weather.

At 1621 A/C attacked 6 merchant vessels each towing barges, off Boulogne, one bomb bursting in the centre of a group of vessels. A Blenheim attacked a supply ship and a convoy of 15 to 20 tugs, each towing two or three barges, near Boulogne harbour at 1650, scoring two hits on barges.

Source: http://www.fold3.com/image/302053821/